Times have changed in agricultural sector

BEING an agricultural worker today is not the same as it was yesteryear.

In fact, the sector today, according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Of Agriculture, Esworth Reid, calls for bright and forward thinking minds, that are willing to take on new and advanced scientific research, and trials in soil rehabilitation, environmental protection, green energy, climate change adaptation, agronomy, entomology, ecosystems management and all other scientific areas of study.

“This would serve to ensure that we create a base on which to maintain a sustainable supply of food and nutrition of our people, and protect the country’s food security,” Reid told the winners of the Grow Well! School Gardening Competition during the awards ceremony at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, yesterday.

He explained that the need for such minds are even more critical at this time, as the agricultural sector of small vulnerable countries, such as Barbados, battle with the negative impact of climate change, creating an urgent and dire need for scientists to find ways to mitigate against, or find ways to adapt to changes in the environment caused by the negative impact of this phenomenon.

The P.S. therefore believes the time has come for the various sophisticated career streams that have been emerging in the field of agriculture to be widely showcased to children from a young age.

“Very few people know about these career streams, and they should be showcased in the schools. There are numerous interesting and viable career streams in this area, and the market and times are increasingly demanding the skills associated with them”.

The competition, which attracted 20 schools, formed part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management campaign, “Grow Well, Eat Well, Live Well Right Here in Bim”, in collaboration with the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

“I believe that through this competition, the Ministry was able, in a clever way, to demonstrate to a number of very young Barbadians school children that agriculture is not at all the dirty task in the world of work, that is reserved only for the uneducated, the barefooted and the rejects of society, as some parents probably still believe.”

“I believe that these children were able to see the science and art of agriculture, and I have no doubt that this has captured their interest, which may very well, someday, serve to have some of them here consider pursuing a career in the field of agriculture when they grow up,” he said.

The Lodge School was named the winner of the Grow Well! School Gardening Competition. Most Creative Garden, as well as first prize in the Container Category, went to All Saints Primary. Ellerton Primary captured top prize for the Cultivation under Protective Gardening Category, while the top performers in the Open-Field Gardening Category were Hillaby /Turner’s Hall Primary and St George Secondary School. (TL)